Venezuela Earthquake
Two powerful earthquakes have struck Venezuela, collapsing buildings and damaging infrastructure across several states.
Last updated June 2026
Photo: ©UNHCR/Jaime Giménez
Earthquakes in June 2026 are the latest tragedy to strike a country that has been devastated by political, economic and humanitarian crises in recent times.
Shelter
to protect those who’ve fled with nothing.
Nutrition
to keep hungry families alive and well.
Clean water
to prevent the spread of deadly diseases like cholera.
What’s happening in Venezuela?
Over recent years, nearly 7.9 million people left the country amidst violence and crippling food shortages – making it the biggest exodus in South America’s recent history.
Many remain displaced across the region in neighbouring countries, where UNHCR continues to provide humanitarian relief and promote social inclusion.
Significant numbers of Venezuelans have also continued to spontaneously return to their country, despite the challenging economic and political climate. UNHCR is on the ground monitoring returns and providing legal aid, counselling and lifesaving assistance.
**BREAKING NEWS**
On 24th June 2026, a devastating earthquake struck northern Venezuela. Reports indicate the first quake had a magnitude of 7.1, followed just minutes later by a stronger tremor of 7.5, causing widespread destruction.
This earthquake is the latest tragedy to strike a country already experiencing humanitarian crisis – making an already complex situation worse. UNHCR is urgently assessing the situation on the ground in this rapidly developing emergency.
Where are Venezuelan families fleeing to?
The majority of Venezuelan people, 97%, are hosted in Latin American and Caribbean countries, many still requiring safety, stability and access to basic services.
Families are travelling primarily to Colombia, but also to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and beyond. These host countries have been welcoming, but they are increasingly overstretched and facing challenges.
Colombia alone generously hosts around 2.8 million refugees and migrants from Venezuela – they join the many internally displaced Colombians spread across the country, often in hard-to-reach areas.
How long has UNHCR been in Venezuela?
For many years, UNHCR has been active in Venezuela delivering vital support to displaced families, including lifesaving aid, shelter and essential legal support.
We are in close contact with our colleagues on the ground and will share updates on the latest developments and how UNHCR teams are responding.
What dangers do people face en route?
Fleeing families often take irregular routes to find safety, crossing fast-flowing rivers or braving treacherous footpaths to reach their destinations. Venezuelans are often forced to cross through Panama’s Darien jungle, also referred to as the Darien Gap, which is one of the world’s most dangerous refugee and migrant routes, consisting of 5,000 square-kilometres of difficult terrain such as tropical wilderness and steep mountains. Crossings are also known to take up to 10 days or more for the most vulnerable.
Both in the Darien jungle and on other routes, many fall prey to smugglers, traffickers and armed groups on the way, and unaccompanied or separated children are particularly vulnerable.
How have foreign aid cuts increased the urgency of UNHCR's work in Venezuela?
Facing enormous pressure from a reduced budget, UNHCR is facing difficult decisions about where to concentrate its presence in Venezuela. However one thing remains certain: UNHCR will stay and deliver for displaced Venezuelans who desperately need help.
Whilst Field Offices in Ciudad Guayana, Guasdualito and Puerto Ayacucho – border areas with Colombia have been closed, resources were reprioritised towards other borders, with new Field Units opening in Santa Elena de Uairén (bordering Brazil) and Carúpano (near Trinidad and Tobago). Supporting displaced people at border crossings remains a priority.
These constraints mean that UNHCR must work harder to do more with less – and public donations will help lifesaving programmes to stay open. Despite these challenges, UNHCR and partners provided protection services to almost 600,000 people in Venezuela throughout 2024 alone.
Where is UNHCR working?
UNHCR is on the ground across the region and has a strong presence around key border crossing points – protecting fleeing families from danger and providing the essentials they need to survive.
As well as providing lifesaving aid and safe shelter, UNHCR teams also provide legal support, such as informing families of their right to seek asylum.
To help promote the integration of refugees in their host communities, UNHCR assists with vocational training for Venezuelans.
UNHCR’s efforts in Venezuela were only 16% funded in 2025. Without adequate funding, access to essential services will be severely constrained. We urgently need your support.
Where can I access the latest data?
Venezuela Situation Portal – for latest updates on the crisis overall, including UNHCR situation reports, funding requirements and UNHCR’s support for neighbouring countries taking in Venezuelan refugees.
Venezuela Operations – for latest updates on UNHCR’s work in Venezuela.
Did you know that one in four Venezuelans, over 7 million people, need humanitarian assistance?
Brother and sister Getsemaní and Gadiel have known hunger and hardship for much of their young lives.
They arrived in Ecuador from Venezuela with their family searching for a fresh start. Adjusting to a new country was challenging, especially as they faced xenophobia.
However, joining a local sports programme, assisted by UNHCR’s ‘Sports for Protection’ strategy, transformed their journey. Through training sessions and games, they began to build friendships and reconnect with their community.
Photo: ©UNHCR/Matías Vaca